Bioinformatics Software Engineer (Chicago & Boston)

As a Bioinformatics Software Engineer at Tempus, your responsibilities will include designing production-scale bioinformatics pipelines using cloud-based systems, developing novel assays and algorithms for oncology-related biomarkers, and conducting in-depth analyses of large multi-modal datasets. You'll also collaborate closely with scientific and engineering teams to support regulatory submissions and produce high-quality documentation of your work.

To qualify for the Bioinformatics Software Engineer role at Tempus, you must have completed a Ph.D. or a Master's degree with at least three years of relevant industry experience in bioinformatics, computational biology, or a related field. Strong computational skills in Python and/or R are essential, along with experience in cloud platforms like AWS or Google Cloud and familiarity with container solutions like Docker.

Bioinformatics Software Engineers at Tempus utilize a range of modern tools for their work. These include programming languages such as Python and R for coding, cloud platforms like AWS and Google Cloud for data storage and processing, and container solutions such as Docker for application deployment. Familiarity with workflow languages like Nextflow and Snakemake is also beneficial in this role.

Collaboration is key at Tempus for a Bioinformatics Software Engineer. You will work closely with both scientific and engineering teams, sharing insights and results to drive the development of innovative solutions in precision medicine. Effective communication is crucial, as you'll present your findings to various stakeholders, ensuring that everyone is aligned and informed.

The expected salary range for the Bioinformatics Software Engineer position at Tempus, particularly in Illinois, ranges from $85,000 to $130,000 USD. Actual compensation may vary based on qualifications, experience, and the specific location of the role, ensuring competitive remuneration for your talents.

When discussing your past projects, focus on specific bioinformatics challenges you tackled, the tools and technologies you utilized, and the outcomes of your projects. Highlight any experience with NGS analyses and how your work contributed to meaningful insights or innovations.

Explain your approach to working with large datasets by mentioning the specific tools you use for data management and analysis. Discuss any cloud platforms, programming languages, or containers that facilitate efficient processing and how you ensure data integrity during your analyses.

Share an example that showcases your programming skills in bioinformatics, detailing the problem, the programming languages you used, and how your solution positively impacted the project. Emphasize your analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Discuss your familiarity with machine learning techniques used in bioinformatics, highlighting specific algorithms or models you have implemented. Provide examples of how machine learning helped detect biomarkers or analyze genomic data in your previous work.

Explain your communication strategies, emphasizing how you share your findings and collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary teams. Include examples of how you translate complex bioinformatics data into actionable insights for non-technical stakeholders.

Express your passion for precision medicine and how Tempus's mission aligns with your career goals. Mention specific aspects of the company, such as its innovative platform and collaborative environment, that excite you about contributing to its success.

Detail the cloud platforms you've worked with, such as AWS or Google Cloud, and provide examples of how you've utilized these environments for bioinformatics data processing and analysis. Discuss any specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them.

Share your systematic approach to developing bioinformatics software, covering planning, design, programming, testing, and documentation phases. Emphasize your focus on best practices and quality control throughout the development process.

Talk about the resources you use to stay informed, such as attending conferences, reading scientific journals, participating in webinars, or being part of professional organizations. Highlight how this knowledge influences your work and projects.

Highlight the importance of thorough documentation in your bioinformatics projects. Talk about how it ensures reproducibility, facilitates collaboration with other teams, and aids in compliance with regulatory standards, contributing to the overall success of the projects.